August 08, 2011

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White posters adorned with bright blue duct tape give volunteers strict instructions to "Sign in" and arrows stuck on the floor direct "experienced canvassers" to the front of the line.

In a small back room with a single table and campaign dog, new workers are given instructions about how to approach the doors in the final hours of this competitive state senate recall race.

"Anybody who's undecided at this point is probably not worth your time," instructs Bob Christopherson, a veteran Democratic field worker who is putting the newest recruits through a 15-minute training seminar before they hit the pavement for a 3-hour late afternoon shift.

Another helpful tip from Christopherson, who has knocked on doors during 87 of the last 90 days: "Age is handy for knowing how hard to knock and how long to wait."

In this office, even how hard to tap on a door is very serious business.

Of the six senate Democratic campaign operations in motion this week, party regulars say none is more well-oiled than Clark's in Senate District 14.

This is a largely rural district with spotty cellular service that's dotted with barns and farm supply stores. It hasn't elected a Democrat to the state senate since 1896.

That's why Democrats know they must have a superior field operation and nothing can be taken for granted.

But that's almost irrelevant to the the Clark campaign, which has produced 534 3-hour volunteer shifts since Saturday.

The metrics are clear: Door knockers are asked to hit about 50 doors in the 180-minute time frame; phone bankers should complete at least 75 calls.

On the wall inside the training room, walkers are provided with a packet of maps and directions, their script, a data sheet of voter information, a list of do's and don't, rain gear and campaign literature.

The goal is not persuasion — but reminding Clark supporters and strong Democrats to turn out.

Their formula tells workers to stress three points to potential voters to enhance the probability they will show up. First, identify them up front as voters. That makes them feel already part of the process.

Then explain that their neighbors are participating and that taking part in an election is a community event. Finally, execute a plan to get them to the polls. Ask how they will cast their ballot, with a spouse, or maybe a friend. Do they need a ride? (Christopherson says most people don't, but it's always smart to ask.)

It will undoubtedly be hard to swallow, but Clark said all the work still amounts to something — even if he falls short Tuesday night.

"If we lose the race, I think that people here should still be extremely satisfied about how quickly we built a campaign and took this district that hasn't had a close election in anybody's memory and put this one right on the map," he said. "We know it's going to be close. We could have a margin of a couple hundred votes.That's why the lights are going to be on until midnight and beyond."

At Olsen's campaign headquarters, about 20 miles southwest in Baraboo, seven workers seated at two tables were making calls in a room shared with a travel agency.

"Luther Olsen stayed and fought for Wisconsin families by balancing the budget without raising taxes," is the message being repeated by volunteers.

A Republican party worker said he could not speak on behalf of the campaign to explain Olsen's ground game. Olsen's campaign manager did not return a call seeking comment.

Correction: An earlier version of this post incorrectly attributed the above quote to Olsen instead of Clark.

As usual the GOP spews its fact ideologically bloated, but fact-free bumper slogans at rapid clip without containing a single solution to any significant problem.
With the GOP/Tea Party and Koch Brothers pushing their anti-agricultural, pro-big business, pro-big oil, pro-already wealthy at the expense of the rest of the economy, one has to wonder how much longer many average voters, who have supported them in the past, will be able to afford to continue to do so in the future.
Will this election herald the possibility that sanity can be restored to public policy or will the GOP/Tea Party bring down the entire house before they can be stopped?
Wisconsin, you decide.

I'm for the "libs" the whole way. The unions are the ONLY reason that corporate dictators don't force people into salt mines when they are 8 for a nickel an hour and 120 hour weeks.
Apparently, I'm the only "other taxpayer" and I can all but guarantee that I pay more in taxes than spayed does. Teachers, firemen, policemen ....they ALL deserve more pay, better working conditions, and better futures. If it ends up costing me an extra 100-200 dollars per year to ensure that my neighborhood is safe, free of fires, and that I don't live next to a bunch of ignorant savages then so be it.

Spayliberals - you sound like the usual low-information tea bagger that refuses deal with reality and facts. Drunken spending was the hallmark of W not the dems. Two unfunded wars; no enforcement of securities laws led to 08 mortgage meltdown; protecting health insurance industry adding billions to real cost of health care; screwing labor rates to compete with India (can't raise a family on India's median income in the US can you? Unions have a place in the economy and you benefit from their activity - good wages give consumers income to spend which drives the US CONSUMER DRIVEN ECONOMY!). You confuse your selfish unwillingness to be taxed with the real targets of proposed tax increases...the very, very rich. That's not you! Wake up and recoginize that you are being played by the fat-cats. S&P downgrade was about foreign debt and dismal economic prospects. Those arguing it's about goverment debt are right - deficit needs to be cut, but with revenue and appropriate reductions in spenging - that's what S&P was telling you! By the way Spay, this is the same stellar organization that gave junk mortgages and Lehman Bros. golden investment ratings; yeah right, real wiz kids! The modern day Nazis are the far right wing - they look just like the lunatics that led Germay into WWII during the 30's. (Read a history book; stop watching the 24 hr GOP advertising machine that's FOX "news".) You don't want to pay taxes? What services will you go without? How much do you think you will be paying when the real bill comes for cleaning up the mess after a reign of GOPers, who don't beleive investment in our infrastructure, education, research and social programs is what keeps us from becoming a Somalia or some other poor banana republic. Keep putting off the maintenance of society and the repair bill will dwarf your wildest imagination. You and your kind are a testament to the need for increased investment in education!

The majority of the comments on this page demonstrates why the voters of Wisconsin voted in November, 2010 to oust the liberals. The taxpayers that live outside of that nut-house bubble of Madison have decided that they would like their state to go in a different direction. No more free lunches; no more driving the state into the ditch; accountability for their tax dollars, and their schools; and no more intimidation by the unions. Simple as that.

My, the vitriol being spewed on this thread is remarkable and seem to be centered on a political comment and alleged lack of child support payments. Re: the latter, can I just say one Teabagger Name? JOE WALSH

"It is hard to believe that there would be enough voters who lack moral and spiritual values that they would vote for a Democrat."
--Posted By: Patricio
The Devil quotes Scripture, Patricio that's why you're confused.
When Democrats win these recalls, perhaps you will understand that your progressive friends and neighbors love you, and only want the best for you and Wisconsin

I see the usual clear, rational Republican posters have shown up late with their personal attacks without once explaining why the Republicans are better.
Typical demagoguery and false prophets, who worship money not God and think the rich will be their salvation.

Re Patricio@9:11,
Patricio, you're confused because the Devil quotes Scripture.
If your friends and neighbors vote as Democrats. It's not a contradiction. It's because they love you and Wisconsin.
*If this comment is not posted as a response, I will assume that Politico favors only comments that disparage liberals and are actively undermining any attempt to create a bipartisan dialog.
*third try.

Our representative form of a democratic
republic has been imperiled by the power
of a self-serving government class, which
has been able to work in concert with the
elite media, including entertainment and
informational arms, as well as the liberal
academic establishment.

YAHOO!! Let's GO!! Go Democrats!! I am so PROUD of You all!! I live in Georgia, but I was born and raised in Chicago, leave to us to lead the WAY!! I didn't forget you, I have been sending money your WAY!! I am praying for You. You will be our calling card!! We will not be dictated to. I love YOU!!